Blood donors can bleed Cardinal red for patients in need on Aug. 29

August 20, 2013

QUINCY, Ill. (Aug. 20, 2013) — On Aug. 29, Quincy-area residents will have the opportunity help save lives while proudly displaying their team loyalty by donating blood at the Cardinals Fans Bleed Red Blood Drive at the Quincy Blood Donation Center. All presenting donors will receive a free, specially-designed St. Louis Cardinals “Step Up to the Plate and Donate” T-shirt, while supplies last.

While thousands of people answered the call for blood donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood donations to keep pace with patient needs.

“Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteer blood donors,” said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. “By donating blood at the Cardinals Fans Bleed Red Blood Drive, you can make a difference in the lives of patients in your community and throughout the nation.”

Blood can be used for trauma victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies – when there are complications during childbirth – and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases.

As part of the Red Cross Summer of Stories blood donation campaign, all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 will be automatically entered to win one of five $1,000 American Express gift card in honor of Labor Day. For more information, visit redcrossblood.org/summer.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.